What Information To Disclose

elainebadknee

Hi

Im on ESA the WRAG group but the last time I actually saw someone must have been end of last year and the company that the government had employed to help people akin to me etc, have now lost the contract - A4E....
Just been this week and am now awaiting pre op assessment for TKR...When i get this appointment do you guys think I should inform the DWP whats going on or not? Im a bit cautious that if i inform them im now on waiting list they may stop my benefits, sure have read somewhere of this happening to someone (could be wrong and will stand corrected if appropriate)....My benefits will get stopped next march anyway as i will have been on ESA for maximum of two years (one year was contribution, now on income related) so god knows what can live off if havent gotten back into workplace...

Advice would be welcome ....

Thanks

Elainex

Avrielle

Hello. It's a difficult one!

If you don't inform them, they may stop your money, but if you do inform them, they may send you for another assessment on what you can and can't do.

The new group they send people on in replacement of A4E is The Work Programme. Reasonably similar in that they try to get people back to work and find volentary work placements for you, which are mandatory, unless you give good reason for not being able to.

I think what I would do is wait until after they have done the op and then inform them that I have had the operation. You will have some time where you will be recovering from the operation and adjusting to your new knee, and the DWP should understand that.

The choice is yours, but if your are in the Work-related Activity group you should be having regular Work Focused Interviews with the Job Centre and/or being on the Work Programme. I'm not sure what has happened in your situation, but be aware that if you don't tell them and they discover that your new knee has worked and your health has dramitcally improved, then your money may well be stopped, and a 6 month 'ban' on claiming benefit could be imposed.

If you do tell them, it may be a while before you will recieve a refreshed Work Capability Assesment, so you will gain some time. Or they may decide that it is fine and you are still not fit for work and continue recieving your benefit.

You may still not be fit for work after the operation, (But I hope you are) so your money may not be affected.

Good luck. xxxxxx

Folara

Heya Elaine

When I was in the WRAG and was put on the waiting list for my hip I contacted them as they have to know to put your WFI's on hold for your recovery period or they will stop your benefit if you don't attend.

You will need to keep them informed of the progress you are making after your op, including any reports from surgeon/doctor/physio etc so they don't expect you to just jump straight back into the workforce.

Good luck with the op.

Fols x

elainebadknee

Avrielle

I have attended work focused interviews and seen the advior, even went to some sort of PHX course which was an insult to my intelligence, couldnt tell you what the certificate was i got for it in the end but it was Janet & John style computer programmes.....They have not called me for a work focused interview like I say for some time....This happened around the time A4E contract got withdrawn...
Im not the sort of person that when i get my knee done would want to stay on ESA, of course if im fit and healthy i would be a jobseeker wouldnt I?
I guess maybe once i get my pre op assesment done contact them..

Elainex

Avrielle wrote:

Hello. It's a difficult one!

If you don't inform them, they may stop your money, but if you do inform them, they may send you for another assessment on what you can and can't do.

The new group they send people on in replacement of A4E is The Work Programme. Reasonably similar in that they try to get people back to work and find volentary work placements for you, which are mandatory, unless you give good reason for not being able to.

I think what I would do is wait until after they have done the op and then inform them that I have had the operation. You will have some time where you will be recovering from the operation and adjusting to your new knee, and the DWP should understand that.

The choice is yours, but if your are in the Work-related Activity group you should be having regular Work Focused Interviews with the Job Centre and/or being on the Work Programme. I'm not sure what has happened in your situation, but be aware that if you don't tell them and they discover that your new knee has worked and your health has dramitcally improved, then your money may well be stopped, and a 6 month 'ban' on claiming benefit could be imposed.

If you do tell them, it may be a while before you will recieve a refreshed Work Capability Assesment, so you will gain some time. Or they may decide that it is fine and you are still not fit for work and continue recieving your benefit.

You may still not be fit for work after the operation, (But I hope you are) so your money may not be affected.

Good luck. xxxxxx

elainebadknee

Fols

Ah right is that what you did? I guess youre right dont want to be called for WFI (had to think what that was for a min, doh).....when got big slice up me leg! And further progress of course till am fit to be deemed a jobseeker which will be hard enough as there is scant jobs in my area...

Thanks for reply..

Elainex

Folara wrote:

Heya Elaine

When I was in the WRAG and was put on the waiting list for my hip I contacted them as they have to know to put your WFI's on hold for your recovery period or they will stop your benefit if you don't attend.

You will need to keep them informed of the progress you are making after your op, including any reports from surgeon/doctor/physio etc so they don't expect you to just jump straight back into the workforce.

Good luck with the op.

Fols x

Avrielle

Hello. I don't take you for someone who tries to wrongfully claim at all. But the DWP are trying to get everyone off benefits where-ever possible.

Basically, don't jump in telling them that you will be fine after the op, because you simply don't know, plus you will need recovery time. Just inform them that you will be having an operation (or that you have just had an operation) and as Folara says, send them any appointment letters or letters about the operation/your condition in regards to the op.

Folara raises a good point that if you do happen to be sent for a WFI or something similar, then you want them to be informed that you would not be able to attend. However, sometimes the Benefit Office and your local Job Centre Plus are not up to date with eachother. If, for example, you informed the Benefit Office over the phone or in writing of what is going on, your Local Job Centre Plus may not be aware and may send out an appointment for you, because appointments are usually made internally within the local Job Centre Plus, not issued by the Benefit Office.

(I must insert my apologies here. I first assumed you ment notifying the Benefit Office about this, not the local Job Centre Plus who are the ones who really need to know. I would definately contact the Local Job Centre Plus. It would be one of the first things I would do, and I apologise because I automatically assumed that you would do the same and the issue was with notifying the Benefit Office themselves.)

Sooooo.... The best thing to do is to inform your local Job Centre Plus, in particular your Advisor, not the Benefit Office (unless your advisor advises you to do so) about the operation.

As for being able or unable to work... You can still continue to get ESA if you are able to do some (but not all) work. BAsically, your ability to work must be limited, but not nessicarily impossible. The ESA rules state that to claim for ESA, you must be unable to work for at least 2 days out of 7. So if you were able to work part time, but not full time, they may still keep you on ESA and find you what they call 'permitted work'.

For information on 'permitted work' please take a look at this page from the Directgov website:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_171909

Going in to work without any support can be very daunting if you have been out of work for some time and/or if there is something that affects your health and how much you can do. Also, these days, employers want to get a bargain for their money (just like the rest of us) which can make Job Seeking for part-time work very difficult indeed. An employer will always rather hire a person who is versatile in what they can do and what shifts they can work.

The Job Centre, while you are on ESA, can help you find 'permitted work' where they will help and support you and have a much higher chance of finding a flexable job. If you decide later that you are well enough to continue working without ESA, then you can easily contact them and end your claim. However, your support may end. But if you are in the Work Programme (or get on very well with your advisor), then they may still check in on you for a short time afterwards to be sure that you are ok.

Of course, if you do find that you are much better after the op, and feel you can satisfy the conditions of Job Seekers Allowance without any additional support, then you can withdraw your claim for ESA and make a new claim for JSA.

When you first attend your JSA appointment with an advisor, then please be sure that they are aware that you have just come off ESA. If you still have some difficulties with your knee while on JSA, you can let them know and they can put it up on their system that you are only looking for work with certain hours, certain travelling distance, flexability etc, without disatisfying the conditions of Job Seeking. This is called your Agreement. It is between you and the Job Centre/DWP, and you can change the Agreement any time you wish. But there are some things in the conditions that you cannot change, like seeing a Job Advisor every week or two weeks, or being put on certain courses that are mandatory, some of them can be 8 hours a day.

But your options are open, whatever you choose and however your operation goes.

Wishing you the best of luck.

elainebadknee

Avrielle

Well no i wouldnt have thought to ring up the DWP to tell them im going for an operation my first thought was the bloke at the jobcentre....He was okay with me but it seems ive been forgotten about for the time being as have had no contact...Not sure if that bodes well for my case or not, who knows with them? Ive made up my mind now once have had pre op assessment over and done with will keep a copy of that letter and take it to him to let him know...
Its in the hands of the gods however what happens, watch this space..

Elainex